Jessica Rivera, Ph.D.

Dr. Jessica Rivera is a Postdoctoral Fellow affiliated with the Pathways-IES program at the University of Texas, San Antonio. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin Madison, Dr. Rivera furthered her academic journey by obtaining a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Her academic pursuits extend to a minor in Women Studies and a graduate certificate in Latinx Studies. 

A proud native of San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Rivera brings over 15 years of experience in the field of education. Her professional background includes roles in supporting student and academic affairs at various universities and serving as an elementary school teacher in the local San Antonio community. 

Research is at the core of Dr. Rivera’s endeavors. Her focus revolves around championing initiatives to diversify STEM fields, transforming Hispanic-Serving Institutions to best promote the success their students, and actively contributing to the growth of Latino/a/e representation in doctoral programs. Dr. Rivera is also a co-founder of the Latina Postdoc Collective, an influential organization dedicated to propelling Latina postdocs into faculty positions, thus contributing to the advancement of diverse voices in academia. Dr. Rivera specializes in qualitative research methodologies, in addition to engaging in collaborative work with other scholars using various research approaches. Furthermore, she places a particular emphasis on integrating Chicana Feminist Epistemologies into her scholarly pursuits.